The Minaret 09/06/2012

Volume 79 Number 2

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September 6, 2012

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ut.minaret@gmail.com

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theminaretonline.com

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Shift in Power: Student Government Reorganizes Cabinet

By JESSICA KEESEE AND MIA GLATTER really close over the years. But I’m very

Associate Editor and News Editor

Allison “McKay” Ellis resigned from her position as vice president of Student Government in order to accept an internship with the State Department in Geneva, Switzerland.

On August 28, 2012, SG President Matt Rutkovitz held an Emergency Senate meeting to reorganize the Executive Cabinet where former Speaker of the Assembly Kristen Anderson was chosen to replace Ellis as vice president.

“It was a really hard decision, because Student government had been something I worked for for so long,” Ellis admitted.

“I actually flew to Baltimore to see [Matt] in person. But Kristen Anderson is awesome and I think she is going to do a really good job.”

Ellis originally planned to take the overseas internship during the summer of 2012, but the funding was cancelled, and consequently the internship too. She was then offered the same internship for the fall of 2012 and decided the opportunity was too good to pass.

“It’s a Department of State internship in Geneva and I’ll be working in the political sector,” Ellis said. “I’ll be going to human rights conventions and talking to people and working with the UN.” “ I’m really excited but kind of sad at the same time,” Anderson revealed. “ I absolutely love McKay and her and I both work in the Office of Student Leadership together so we’ve gotten

honored that her and Matt picked me to be the VP position because I think that we have a lot of good ideas.”

“We’re gonna miss McKay, she’s a great student leader but Kristen is definitely doing a wonderful job getting acclimated well, good with others and really good at delegating. She’s already doing a great job,” Rutkovitz said.

With Ellis’s resignation and Anderson’s new appointment, the Senate has appointed Dylan Sellberg, former Director of Programming, as the new Speaker of the Assembly and Trevor Joenson as the Director of Programming.

Although Ellis’ time in the office was brief, her journey to the position had more obstacles than expected.

On March 30th, the Student Government Presidency and Vice Presidency candidates Rutkovitz and Ellis met with the Judicial Advisory Board to appeal the decisions made in Thursday’s meeting. In the meeting on Thursday, Rutkovitz and Ellis were disqualified from the race for violations of the Election Guidelines in the Student Government bylaws which states ‘Candidates must not act in such a manner that it places a voter under duress with regard to their vote’ and ‘Candidates should campaign positively. Candidates are representing The University of Tampa.’”

Ellis later defended herself and Rutkovitz in a Minaret article asserting, “I think that there is a lot of speculation

and there is a lot of accusation towards our campaign and if you don’t know the truth, then there is no reason to talk about it. It was something that both of us felt that our names got tarnished and that in no way reflects who we are or what our campaign and our strategies and goals are.”

Despite the sudden change in command, Anderson is optimistic about the success of Student Government this year.

“We are very excited to move forward and do a lot of great things,” Anderson said. “Three of the main things that we want to focus on again that go along Yasaman Sherbaf/ The Minaret with Matt and McKay’s SG President Matthew Rutkovitz and Vice President Kristen Andercampaign are son look forward to new year. recycling, library hours and our Sherbaf and Chelsea Daubar. relationship with Reslife. We have a great Jessica Keesee can be reached at team established. We’re so excited about jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com this year.”

Mia Glatter can be reached at mia.

Additional reporting by Yasaman glatter@theminaretonline.com

Democratic National Convention Backs Obama to ‘Move Forward’ The Democratic National Convention kicked off Tuesday evening with its opening ceremony of speakers, video presentations and caucus meetings.

Supporters and distinguished speakers gathered at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday afternoon, preceding first lady Michelle Obama’s evening speech.

The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic National Committee and representative from Florida, opened the evening’s activities with a call to order.

Remarks by DNC officials and a welcome video gave state delegates time to move through the security lines, soaked by rain and eager to find their seats.

Following the trend of party support for GLBT issues, Andrew Tobias, treasurer

In Other News...

of the Democratic National Committee, spoke of his personal experience as a homosexual in his youth.

“People killed themselves over being gay,” Tobias said. “Sadly, they still do.”

]

News Editor for North Carolina State’s The Technician

who began by asking all the delegates to officially check in.

“We are a convention that really looks like America — every race and every background,” Germond said. “We fight for

[

By JESSIE HALPERN

“Together we can overcome the greatest challenges that come our way . . . we can provide opportunity for those aspiring to join the middle class.”

- California Rep. Barbara Lee

Tobias continued to talk about the recent marriage of Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank to his partner.

“Love that had been unspeakable 24 years ago was being celebrated by senators and congressmen,” Tobias said.

Tobias’ anecdotal contributions to the convention were followed by an order of business and party support by Alice Germond, secretary of the DNC,

3 New Students Reflect on Convention Craziness

5 UT Democrats Register Student Voters

7 Local Strip Clubs Profit from RNC Attendees 9 The Political Anthem that Couldn’t

the middle class and the American dream and that is why we support President Barack Obama.”

Germond noted that since Obama’s inauguration, the country has added 4.5 million jobs in the private sector, had 29 straight months of job growth and given 18 tax cuts to small businesses. She also brought light to the recent passage of the Affordable Care Act.

“When others said it couldn’t be done, President Obama passed the Affordable Care Act which is already preventing the worse insurance company abuses,” Germond said. “As we gather as one convention, we stand together, women and men, the young, the young at heart, the gay, the straight…united by our love of America, determined to fight for the middle class and determined to create an economy from the middle out, not the top down.”

By the end of Germond’s speech, all 56 delegates were in the hall.

Though the focus of the evening’s speeches was on building up the Obama campaign, mention of his opponent, Mitt Romney, was not absent.

California Rep. Barbara Lee rose loud boos and hisses from the audience when she spoke of the Romney campaign.

“We will move forward, not backward,”

12 Romney’s Welfare Attack Ads are Racist, Desperate

See DNC, page 4

News..................................2 Diversions.........................6 A+E....................................7

19 Jason Witten’s Spleen and Other Fantasy Busts

Opinion............................ 11

Sports..............................17

M

NEWS + FEATURES

SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

MINARET

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joshua Napier

joshua.napier@theminaretonline.com

MANAGING EDITOR Chelsea Daubar

chelsea.daubar@theminaretonline.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Keesee

jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com

NEWS + FEATURES Mia Glatter, Editor

mia.glatter@theminaretonline.com

Yasaman Sherbaf, Asst. Editor

yasaman.sherbaf@theminaretonline.com

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Natalie Hicks, Editor

natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com

Kelly St. Onge, Asst. Editor

kelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.com

OPINION

Paola Crespo, Editor

jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com

Annabella Palopoli, Asst. Editor

annabella.palopoli@theminaretonline.com

SPORTS

John Hilsenroth, Editor

john.hilsenroth@theminaretonline.com

Miles Parks, Asst. Editor

miles.parks@theminaretonline.com

ONLINE

Jennifer Bedell, Social Media Director jennifer.bedell@theminaretonline.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Samantha Battersby, Head Photographer

samantha.battersby@theminaretonline.com

ADVERTISING

Shivani Kanji, Ad & PR Coordinator minaret.ads@gmail.com

ADVISER

Daniel Reimold, Ph.D. dreimold@ut.edu

COPY EDITORS

Nikita Hernandez, Head Copy Editor nikita.hernandez@theminaretonline.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Imani Cruz Victoria DeLone Jake Patterson

STAFF WRITERS David Adams Stef Crocco Katelyn Edwards Daniel Feingold Xelmarie Medina Michael Paonessa Laurel Sanchez

COLUMNISTS

Alex Caraballo Amanda Sieradzki Hannah Webster

MORE INFORMATION THE MINARET is a weekly student-run publication at the University of Tampa.

Letters to the Editor may be sent to editor@theminaretonline.com.

To reach THE MINARET call 813.257.3636.

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Daily Show’s Stewart Teases Tampa During Week of Taping

By JESSICA KEESEE Associate Editor

Correspondent Jason Jones, reporting from a strip club, joked, “Jon, I’m here in Tampa’s famous strip club district, or as they call it here, Tampa,” while Correspondent Samantha Bee took aim at the insects inhabiting the city.

Reporting from midair in the grasp of an overgrown palmetto bug, Bee cracked, “I was coming out of a Waffle House. Apparently, the scent of syrup and cigarette ash proved irresistible to this, what the locals have assured me, is a juvenile palmetto bug.”

Aasif Mandvi, another Daily Show correspondent and Tampa native, defended the shows comedy.

“People were offended that we made fun of Tampa, it’s literally like, what do you want us to do... we’re Kagen88/Flicker a comedy show. We’re not Daily Show’s Jon Stewart took aim at city of Tampa targeting its going to give you a shout heat, strip clubs and insect population during the RNC. out. You know?

We’re going to The Republican National Convention brought media outlets and reporters from across make fun of the city that we’re in,” the country to Tampa, Fla. to cover the events Mandvi told FOX 13 News.

Despite all the of the Tampa of the 2012 GOP nomination. Jon Stewart and crew even brought satirical political talk show themed jokes, viewers flocked to The Daily Show to the bay area, filming at the the Straz Center hoping to get a seat Straz Center for the Performing Arts for the during filming.

Ann Midtgaard, 55, did not mind week of the convention.

While in Tampa, Stewart and his the jokes geared at Tampa.

“That’s the kind of comedy he correspondents targeted the city, mocking the heat, humidity, notorious strip club has,” the longtime Stewart fan and Tampa native said. district, and large population of insects.

Others felt differently, however, “This is the land that time forgot. This is the Republican National Convention in when hearing their city mocked on Tampa, Fla. at the end of August,” mocked national television.

“It’s kind of sad, it just seems like John Oliver, a Daily Show correspondent.

“There is no place you’d rather be, there’s only so much material to talk particularly if you’re an insect from an about,” admitted Kendall O’Neil.

“It’s either the insects, the strippers, Indian Jones’s films.”

or the weather, hurricanes, and that’s cool, you know, you have to be able to generalize whatever city you’re going to. It ‘s kind of a little bit interesting knowing that that’s what peaks up about Tampa, knowing that I live here.”

Some attendees just wanted to see the show, regardless of Stewart’s comedy.

Betsy Alvarez, 32, went to see the filming with her boyfriend and some friends, only to find out that their reserved tickets had been given away. Alvarez waited in line for free tickets the morning before an episode was to be shot. Promised four tickets and only given one in advance, she was told to return by 4:30 p.m. with her group to collect the other tickets. By her arrival at 4:20 p.m., she found that her tickets had been given away.

“We waited for an hour earlier. We did everything. We’ve come, we’ve taken the whole day off to do it so it kind of sucks.”

The RNC may be over and The Daily Show may be gone, but Jon Stewart and his team will not be forgotten in Tampa, at least his jokes certainly won’t be.

Jessica Keesee can be reached at jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com

Ten Important Tips for Student Voters

By Stef crocco News Reporter

Every four years, United States citizens have the chance to exercise their right to vote. That chance falls on Nov. 6 of this year and for most college students, it will be their first time voting in the general election. Will you be one of those students?

Well, here are the top 10 tips from Travis Abercrombie, the Public Information Coordinator at Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office, to help you register to vote, so that you can have your voice heard.

Registering: 1. You must be registered to vote in Hillsborough County if you want to cast a ballot here in the Nov. 6 General Election.

The last day to register is Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012.

2. If you are from another county/state, you can still register here in Hillsborough County. If you are already registered in another county/state, please inform them that you are now registered elsewhere.

3. Voter registration drives at UT will be ongoing throughout the year. If you want to download a registration application, you can do so at www.VoteHillsborough. org. Registration requirements are also listed on the website.

4. If you want to keep your registration status in another county/state and wish to vote in the Nov. 6 General Election, you must contact your home county/state and request an absentee/Vote By Mail ballot.

Different states have different rules when it comes to requesting and returning an absentee ballot. In Florida, all absentee ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voting Methods: 5. All registered voters can request and vote an absentee/Vote By Mail ballot.

It’s a great alternative to standing in line to vote, and gives you time to study the candidates and issues.

6. Early Voting allows all registered voters in Hillsborough County to cast a ballot at any of the 15 approved Early

Voting locations. The one closest to UT is downtown in the Fred B. Karl County Center building (601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602).

7. On Election Day, voters must vote in their precinct. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Misc. Voting Information: 8. Whether you vote early or on Election Day, you will be asked to present a valid and current form of photo ID and signature ID. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be located on www.

VoteHillsborough.org.

9. You don’t have to vote in every race on your ballot for your vote to count.

10. You will receive a sample ballot prior to Election Day. You are allowed to bring your sample ballot with you in the polling room, but please use the ballot provided to you by the poll worker.

Stef Crocco can be reached at stefanie. crocco@spartans.ut.edu

NEWS + FEATURES

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

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New Students Reflect on Convention Craziness Freshmen adjust to college life while the RNC takes over Tampa

By LAYLA SOUCHET Contributor

College can be an exhilarating and rewarding adventure that millions of teens experience every year. This year, however, hundreds of students experienced a few extra adventures at the University of Tampa.

Not only were they adjusting to life away from the comforts of home and trying to make friends, they also had to prepare for a potential hurricane, the Republican National Convention (RNC) a few blocks away and the first week of classes. Although these first weeks have been pretty hectic, the new students remain optimistic.

“People are super friendly and usually willing to help out with any questions or problems that I may be having,” said freshman Zach Warfel.

“I think the RNC would be a great way to get involved in the Tampa community for the people that want to. I choose to just stay away from it as much as I can because I still feel like I need to acclimate to school and the area. I haven’t really been affected by anything other than seeing extra security around school.”

Fellow freshman Justin Zwecker agreed but has also felt some drawbacks of the convention. “I think that the RNC is very cool and interesting,” Zwecker said. “The RNC has been affecting my sleep because I am living in McKay

and every night there is a party across the river with extremely loud and annoying music that has been interrupting my sleep for the last two nights.”

Other new experiences the students have been facing are meal plans and on-campus food.

New student Marc Anthony Rivera said, “The food is actually really good.

Maybe a little bit bigger portions for meal exchange and the ability to carry meals from week to week.”

Warfel agreed, stating, “I’m really impressed.

Every dining option that I’ve had here has been great, and the variety is awesome. I usually get a salad from Fresh Creations for lunch, and then I Taylor Sanger/ The Minaret usually have whatever sounds good for dinner. With the RNC colliding with the first week of classes, incoming freshmen had to adjust with increased security on campus.

The meal exchanges are on us.” Warfel was a tad more optimistic, much more concerned than they needed to really good for making sure that I don’t always have to eat in stating, “I’m a little disappointed that I be) what plans UT had for us, and what the the cafeteria, which is a great thing.” didn’t get to experience any tropical storm latest news was concerning Isaac.”

Zwecker concluded, “I think that more weather. Being from Minnesota, I was Although coming to a new school, of the restaurants in Stadium should be kind of looking forward to something new and even a new state, can be worrisome, on a meal plan instead of having to use new students keep themselves busy like that! But in all honesty, I feel like UT Spartan dollars. I also think that the caf and focused by making new friends, was really good about keeping students exploring the city and making great should be open later than 7 p.m.”

As for the “hurricane” everyone was informed about happenings with the storm, memories.

Layla Souchet can be reached at layla. preparing for Rivera said, “It had zero effect and I was able to let my parents (who were souchet@spartans.ut.edu

4 SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

NEWS + FEATURES

Governor Perdue Advocates for Education at the DNC Tuesday, in which she highlighted President Barack Obama’s work for education and women’s rights.

“On behalf of the people of North Carolina, I welcome you all to the Queen City, Charlotte, in the great, great state of North Carolina,” Perdue said.

Perdue Photo courtesy of Jessie Halpern has spent her four years as

By JESSIE HALPERN governor making education her prime News Editor for North Carolina State’s The concern, a topic she did not stray Technician from at the Democratic National North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue Convention. spoke during a five-minute slot at “My friends, it starts with the Democratic National Convention education,” Perdue said. “The

president has made schools a top priority, he actually understands that all parents want their children to have more opportunities than they did as a child…This president, my friends, simply ‘gets it’ on education, and that’s a good thing for America.”

Perdue said Obama sees the importance of education as a “difference maker” for children and “the pathway for this country to succeed as a global economy.”

Though Perdue began her speech with education, she ended with a nod to the president’s work for women’s rights.

“He has helped women across this country fight for equal pay [and] for equal work,” Perdue said. “He understands women must be guaranteed access to quality, affordable healthcare, and unlike Mitt Romney, President Obama is standing up for Planned Parenthood.”

Perdue’s statement was brief, but echoed a message of support for President Obama.

“Barack Obama is delivering for

North Carolina and he is delivering for America,” Perdue said.

Following Gov. Perdue’s message was Ryan Case, a senior at the University of Colorado. Case spoke about his experience watching both of his parents pass away from illness because they could not afford the healthcare he believes Obama has made affordable today.

At 28 years old, Case has just reached his senior year, as he has had to postpone school to work and care for his parents before their deaths. Though he’s a more mature senior, he is once again postponing school —this time, to campaign for Obama.

“I’m knocking on doors for President Obama,” Case said. “I’m two semesters away from graduating thanks to President Obama.”

Case brought attention to the Pell grants Obama has doubled during his term, the same grants Case is using to finish his undergraduate degree.

“President Obama believed in me, he fought for me. This fall, let’s fight for him,” Case said.

DNC speakers find common ground during opening speeches From DNC, Page 1

Lee said. “Together we can overcome the greatest challenges that come our way… we can provide opportunity for those aspiring to join the middle class.”

Former Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy brought attention to President Obama’s action with the troops, saying he “brought [them] home and took care of

them after.” In addition, the president’s abolition of our nation’s former “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was discussed.

After Kennedy left the stage, a short video paved the way for mayor of Newark, N.J., Cory Booker, to take the stage and excite the crowd.

“We choose American might and American muscle standing strong on the bedrock of the American ideals,”

From the Aug. 27 to Sept. 3 reports

It’s Been A Boring Week On August 28 at 9:01 a.m., a student refused to put on the identification lanyard.

Those Darn Anarchists On August 28 at 10:41 a.m., a trespass warning was issued to a non-student.

B****es Be Trippin’ On August 28 at 8:03 p.m., a female student injured her legs while jogging on the Pepin/Rood track.

Reports compiled by Yasi Sherbaf

This Isn’t Mario Kart On August 28 at 1:25 p.m., a student walked into the security office to make a report of a minor traffic crash in the garage.

New Lamborghini...Or Free Laundry On August 28 at 3:37 p.m., a student reported the theft of her credit cards and laundry card from her room in Austin Hall.

That’s What You Get For Inviting Me To Join Your Mafia On August 28 at 8:00 p.m., a student entered the Safety Office and reported being harassed using Facebook in Straz Hall.

Booker said. “It is our fundamental, national aspiration that no matter who you are, no matter color or creed, how you choose to pray, or who you choose to love, that if you are a citizen of the United States of America…one who is willing to work hard, play by the rules, and apply your God-given talents, you should be able to find a job that pays the bills, afford health

care for your family, to retire with dignity and respect, and give your children the kind of education that allows them to dream even bigger, go even further…this is our platform.”

Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio R. Villaraigosa moved to adopt the 2012 Democratic National Platform, and the crowd seconded with no discussion.

On Tuesday Sept. 4th, Student Government met in Reeves Theater On Sept. 4, Student Government held their first general assembly meeting of the year. They covered the following items: UT Diplomats applications are due on Sept. 14th by 5 p.m.

Leadership kick-off retreats will be held on Sept. 11 and 18.

The Spartan Street Fair Organization Registration will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

P.E.A.C.E. is hosting the Invisible Children on Sept. 18 at 8:45 p.m. in Reeves Theater.

P.E.A.C.E. is having a social event on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To attend the event, you have to sign up on HireUT. The Fall Leadership Retreat will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 in the Fletcher Lounge of Plant Hall.

NEWS + FEATURES

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

UT Democrats Register Student Voters

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Group Supports POTUS Running for Second Term

By JENN BEDELL

Social Media and Web Director

In the moments before the University of Tampa Democrats tabling event officially began at 11 a.m. in Vaughn Courtyard, the girls in blue quietly set up signs, posters, fliers, etc.

Almost in sync, hula hoopers swirled through the grass as helicopters for the Republican National Convention slowly gravitated through Tampa’s blue sky.

UT’s own, “College Democrats” or “Spartans for Obama” gathered for a quick meeting before they queued up their mood-suiting playlist of M83, MGMT and Empire Of The Sun. For only about five minutes, passersby seemed to glance at the tent and then straight through it. But the first student approached soon after and

President of UT Democrats, senior Jessica Mccarron, let out a sincere and welcoming, “Yay!” Most, if not all tent visitors expressed interest in registering to vote in Florida, regardless of the political party they were a part of.

Mccarron, the government and world affairs major, joined UT Democrats as a freshman and became the president her sophomore year. She said, “We’re here counteracting the RNC. We want students to register regardless of who they vote for and we want this campus’ voice to be heard.” Mccarron admitted that, from her knowledge, the UT Democrats became truly prominent in 2008, a clear connection with President Obama’s election.

So was this conveniently organized Democrat tabling event a form of rebellion against the RNC? Not from the eye, there was no form of hatred being expressed. This event was simply a group who involve themselves with Democratic community service working towards educating the students at UT. Anna Haragan, junior, focusing on sociology and Spanish, expressed that their main goal was “to get people aware of our club.” The UT Democrats are looking to add more diversity and participate year round in working for left wing interests, including Planned Parenthood.

Courtesy of @minaret

UT Dems President, Jessica Mccarron hoped that the event would counteract the RNC and open students up to the democratic party if they hadn’t yet registered.

Mccarron spoke briefly about what their meeting entailed, “We do good hard work for campaigns and we really educate each other.” All of the members bring something to the table during meetings and express interests on a variety of topics that all relate back to a more Liberal sense.

And in case you needed more proof

that this wasn’t a full-on Democrat “Protest Fest”, senior criminology major, Kyle Beausoleil stopped by, who admitted he was not a democrat, but simply came by to register to vote. And of course he was “trying to promote his fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha.”

Jenn Bedell can be reached at jennifer.bedell@spartans.ut.edu

6 SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

Diversions

Crossword

PUNS AND ANAGRAMS

By MEL TAUB

ACROSS

1 Hand me a person to be in charge 8 Shoots on Wig St. 13 Actress at the tomb of Lenin 14 They strive to hold things together 16 Heathen worshiper with a vow of procrastination 17 Before we’re on 18 Fellow Citi Field players with heavenly bodies 19 Simple: the ayes have it 21 Duce’s predecessor 22 ___ wit (darning ability) 23 What assassins finally confess to 24 It’s inside calves 25 It’s a dog command 26 Dusty room 28 Feudal lord of a Belgian city 29 Place for a wine seller, say 31 Big hits that a slugger lets rip 33 Overdue coffee order without tea

34 Nathan who’s physically fit 35 Performer at ABC or a circus 38 Looking at ruin, perhaps 41 What a spry supplicant does 42 Like the design on 102 buildings 44 Start of some verbal punishment 46 P D 47 Chunk taken from a December glacier 48 Race anxiety 49 What babies must have that babes will not 50 Same plateau 51 What stops lather 53 Endlessly telling about part of a door frame 55 Fashioned 16-Across 57 Deadly heat in the ’50s 58 Jazzes up elves’ inn 59 Dirty toys with nothing in them 60 What golfers do at the starts of holes

DOWN

1 Like pleasure that was hid once 2 I deem to be a descendant of Esau 3 Bit of ornamentation at Gate 50 4 “D--- rodent!”

5 On which 1,000 sat 6 Greeting on a Roman street 7 Nymph hiding in reed 8 It rests on the head 9 Like a telegram 10 End of rest 11 Polite as 10 “Glee” performers 12 It’s so great in an attic 13 Little Richard’s haystacks 15 Lowlands in the environs of Cardiff, U.K. 20 Whatever you want in a N.Y. night 23 Guarantees for an “E.T.” issuer 24 It viggles on a vindshield 26 Thick slices, as lbs. of concrete 27 Can closer 28 I call it purplish 30 The guy for Dolly 32 Queen of Iran 35 Dismay over a c-cover 36 Friends I censor 37 Met Tina & Ron

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39 Cornered, as a true ape 40 Dishes that may enter U.S. 43 Zero charges for what a speaker does 45 Any drs. who are brainiacs 47 Like the midsection of a carillon

48 Spice that 100 adore 50 Tame turkey, e.g.

51 Handle on two-thirds of a hotel chain 52 Landed a tail 54 Beethoven’s heart 56 Prop attachment

The Weekend Update Spirituality and Film Series: The Hunger Games Sept. 7

Reeves Theater 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Photo by Lea Beilhart/The Minaret Vermin Supreme promotes himself at the RNC.

Spartan Street Fair Sept. 12

Vaughn Courtyard (Rain site: Vaugh Lobby) 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays Sept. 7, 8, 9

Tropicana Field 7:10 p.m.

Calvin Harris Concert Sept. 7 Trop Following the Rangers/Rays game

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sept. 9

Raymond James Stadium 4:15 p.m.

Citizen Cope Concert Sept. 13

Jannus Live 7 p.m.

Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival Sept. 13

1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater 1 p.m.

Arts + Entertainment

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

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The Republican National Convention, In Drive M y Exper i enc e as a C h a u ff e u r f o r T h e Wall Street Journal

By KELLY ST. ONGE

Asst. Arts + Entertainment Editor

The Republican National Convention transformed my hometown into a replica of a very memorable trip I took to New York City two years ago. Over the last week, the term “southern hospitality” vanished.

Taxis, private vans and buses, the predators of the roads, took control of transit, as people from all over the country stayed in Tampa for that week.

Driving for The Wall Street Journal is a job I signed up for last week, and I have to say that by the last day of the convention I knew how to maneuver a Dodge Grand Caravan with ease. Apparently, everyone else obtained this ability too, along with a New York City driver’s attitude.

Before the convention, I would gladly let other drivers pull out in front of me from side roads; I would even wave them ahead of me. On day two of the convention, they were lucky if I used my blinker to warn them before I cut in front of them.

It was nothing personal, but I realized no one cared to give me an open space on the road, so why should I? Pedestrians forgot the term “jaywalking;” they crossed the road in the quickest way possible even if it meant weaving in and out of traffic.

It has been said the life of a New Yorker is fast-paced; they have no time for chitchat and “good mornings.” I guess Tampa residents were in the same boat last week with the RNC, potential of Hurricane Isaac and the beginning of classes for students.

Vendors waited outside of the convention center selling Mitt Romney and Ron Paul buttons. A woman with a pin that read “delegate” stopped to take a look at the buttons. A group of reporters circled around her getting shots from every angle.

Who’s this? I questioned to myself. I saw another pin that said “No más Obama.”

She was talking in Spanish to the vendor explaining that today’s Hispanic youths are ignorant of their own language.

“Por favor, puedo tomar un foto de todos ustedes juntos? (Can I take a picture of all of you together?)” I asked her.

“Vengan aqui, ella quiere un foto (Come here, she wants a photo),” she yelled to her company.

As I took her picture she explained, switching between Spanish and English, that she, Dianne Costa, was the mayor of Highland Village, Texas. She said she leads her city with strength and will not be bullied.

She ended her talk with the vender, looked at the crowd that gathered around her and exclaimed, “In Texas, if you break the law we shoot you!”

The fascination I found on the streets followed me inside the convention center. I had the privilege of visiting the workspace of The Wall Street Journal. It was much more advanced than a simple laptop and a reporter at a desk. Ballroom A was a second home for members of the journal.

They had all they needed at their fingertips. Long blue cables ran across the floor to provide access to a necessary wireless connection. Every desk was equipped with a handy landline to make interviews possible and efficient.

I expected journalists from The Wall Street Journal to be “too cool” to talk to me, but my experience this past week has taught me the exact opposite. They actually

gave me a pass to get onto the delegates’ floor. I felt like a kid visiting Disney World. After all, how many times does a media event like the RNC come to your own town?

I took a walk with Dave Dolinger from the tech crew to get an inside look at the arena. This is the Tampa Bay Times Forum? I thought to myself. Pictures of Mitt Romney and a plastic elephant in a Tampa Bay Lightning jersey were a few of the Republican memorabilia inside. What a transformation! “There’s a Republican gift shop too,” he laughed. “I went inside and asked the cashier, so what are the Democrats supposed to buy?”

Sure enough the moment we split ways he saw someone famous. I went back to The Wall Street Journal workspace while he double checked all equipment in the arena. When he came back he showed me a picture he had just taken with a man that looked familiar to me.

“Who’s this?” he asked.

Could it be Angelina’s Jolie’s dad? “He looks like a famous actor I know,” I said.

Sure enough, Jon Voight was at the convention center. I gotta check this out, I thought. He was supposed to be in the Google room. I walked from one side of the convention center to the other with no luck. One more lap around the convention center and … there he was.

Oh man! The camera was off; how was I going to get a picture? I looked up at him, disappointed I would not get my camera on in time, and he smiled as he walked by, in the middle of a conversation. That was a famous encounter one could only expect in Hollywood or New York City, and I had it here in my backyard.

Laughs in the car helped ease the stress of the hustle and bustle downtown. I had the privilege to ride with the Deputy Editor-inChief, Gerard Baker, and the Bureau Chief, Jerry Seib. The assistant to the Bureau Chief, Jude Marfil, asked me on Thursday, the last day of the convention, if I was able to go back to the delegates’ floor.

“No, I had to work on my protester piece, so I didn’t have time,” I said.

“Oh, you write?” asked Seib.

“Yeah, I’m writing for my university paper. I asked one girl what she was protesting and she said blisters,” I replied.

“So, what’s your position on blisters?” laughed Baker.

I was excited I got to talk to these two gentlemen about my position on my university paper and I was even more excited that they seemed to be genuinely interested in it.

I was afraid after his first experience in the car with me that Baker wouldn’t want to have me as his driver. You see, I picked him up from the airport and instead of going north on I-275 toward the convention, I took I-275 south across the Bay to St. Petersburg. I’m pretty sure I made him late for his dinner meeting. I apologized the way over the bridge and back.

No one would ever refer to Tampa as the Big Apple. Tampa’s too small to be compared to New York City. With the RNC in town it was a completely different atmosphere. I questioned many times whether I was really at home or in the heart of that big city I visited two years ago.

Kelly St. Onge can be reached at kelly. st.onge@theminaretonline.com.

Photos by Kelly St. Onge/The Minaret

From Top: St. Onge photographed with Bureau Chief Jerry Seib and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Gerry Baker; The Wall Street Journal workspace; and Texan Mayor Dianne Costa looks at Mitt Romney pins.

8

SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Lo cal S tr i p Cl ub s P r o f i t f r o m RNC At t e n d e e s

By Natalie Hicks

Arts + Entertainment Editor

Many Tampa businesses have readily prepared for the RNC visitors, and this does not exclude the local strip clubs. Strip joints throughout the downtown Tampa Bay area have put up attentiongrabbing signs specifically targeted toward RNC-goers in hopes of upping their profits for the week.

Their signs specifically gear toward government officials with a valid I.D. as well as any other customer that has RNC passes Thee Dollhouse, a gentlemen’s club located off North Westshore Boulevard, advertised “VIP ENTRY WITH GOV I.D.” They also featured Lisa Ann, aka Nailin Paylin, this past weekend. She performed four shows where she acted as a seductive version of former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin.

Her co-workers took notice that she looked quite similar to Palin

when she put her hair up and wore glasses.

Since Thee DollHouse recently began renovations in November, they expected more RNC customers.

They have even compared their turnout to the Super Bowl.

“We’ve put over probably about 1,000,300 [dollars] into the club getting ready for the RNC... and we put the girls in red, white and blue corsets for a lot of fun,” The DollHouse co-owner Warren Colozzo told CNN. They have even been offering American flag-colored vodka to RNC customers.

Fears of Hurricane Isaac delayed potential business on Sunday and Monday, but, for the most part, strip clubs have seen a steady amount of profit if not a big increase.

2001 Odyssey was optimistic about increased profits during the RNC. They even set up a private entrance leading from the parking lot to the building.

This way, people can go inside

without being seen and judged by the public.

“Amber,” a stripper in Tampa, told CNN, “I’ve been prepping a lot for the RNC Convention. I’ve been working out. I try to switch my diet up a little bit so I’m eating healthier.”

Joe Redner, the man that started much of the stripping success in Tampa, was originally a little unsure about how much the RNC

would make for his strip club, the nationally famous Mons Venus.

“I don’t expect the RNC to be as busy as Super Bowl. I don’t think those people are coming to party,” Redner told CNN last Thursday.

Overall, the nearly 20 different strip clubs in Tampa doubled in business throughout the week of the RNC. “Sales doubled last week with all the RNC guests that came to town,”

Strip Club 2001 Odyssey reaches out to RNC attendees to gain business.

said Katie, a desk security worker at Skin Lounge in Ybor City.

If other customers would have come in between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., they might not have seen a large number of politicians in suits.

“RNC guests came in after the bars closed at 3 a.m.,” said Fire, a dancer at Skin Lounge.

Natalie Hicks can be reached at natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com.

Photo by Samantha Battersby/The Minaret

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

9

The Political Anthem that Couldn’t

By MIKEY ANGELO RUMORE Asst. Opinion Editor

Video uploaded by Electad/YouTube

Lane Turner, a country singer, performed a song called “I Built It” based off Mitt Romney’s slogan “We Built It” for the RNC.

By Amanda Sieradzki

During convention week my Facebook feed was drowning in political memes, party-charged dissertations masquerading as status updates and video link upon video link of someone saying something

National Convention.

The RNC’s catchphrase and overarching theme that night was “We Built It.” This phrase was taken from a comment Barack Obama made in July when he said entrepreneurs “didn’t build” businesses without the help of

that either inspired or perturbed my friends. Scrolling through, I followed a link to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and down the rabbit hole I went.

I had skillfully avoided anything to do with the convention up until that moment, but I am so grateful for that link which led me to an episode of The Daily Show that recapped Tuesday night of the Republican

government tools.

I’m not here to debate or purport any sort of political mumbo-jumbo concerning the use of “We Built It.” No, I am here today to bring your attention to country singer Lane Turner’s “I Built It,” which was performed Tuesday night and highlighted on The Daily Show.

I am not a country music fan, but I do

Arts + Entertainment Writer

admire the storytelling qualities that some country musicians employ. Their songs evoke memories of backwoods romances I never had and the pain one feels when they leave all they’ve ever known. I might’ve converted from 97X to WQYK and never looked back if it weren’t for that godawful country twang.

“I Built It” is no ordinary country song, however. I’m not really sure if it’s even a song. It’s almost as if Turner was kidnapped, locked in a dressing room at the Forum with nothing but his guitar and a slip of paper saying “We Built It,” and told he’d be on stage in ten.

As one can imagine, “I Built It” was said at least 57 times throughout the course of two and a half minutes. It details the story of a man who pumped gas until the station he worked at went up for sale. The man spends his life savings and buys the business, and when the investment pays off he lights up a big cigar for the “business [he] could call [his] own.”

From there Turner leaps into the chorus of I Built It’s, which he did “with [his] own two working hands” and “without help from Uncle Sam.” This is all well and good, yet “I Built It” scolds where it should inspire.

Abrasive lyrics pepper the final verses with advice like “Bust your butt/keep your big mouth shut/and your eyes on the job at hand” and “there’s a moral to this story/I’ll make it short and sweet/If you never find the “x” on the front of a check you better think before you speak.”

If this political anthem was truly meant to rally crowds, gain supporters or even do

something as far-reaching as convert voters, I think it failed. It doesn’t band together a diverse group of people under a gentle message. Instead, it weighs like an overbearing parent on the mind, yelling at you to shut up and not speak until spoken to.

For comparison’s sake, take “I Built It” and put it next to the “Yes We Can” anthem of 2008 which won Will.I.Am and fellow compatriots an Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches.

“Yes We Can” is just as guilty for its repetition, but it uses it to an advantage rather than a taunt. It includes where “I Built It” excludes. “We” holds so much more weight than “I.” If the song had been called “We Built It,” like the actual mantra that was used for the theme, then maybe this would be a different story.

Lane Turner, you tried your best, but I don’t see a Country Music Television award in your future. I’ll offer you this, though--a second chance. Take a listen to Will.I.Am’s “It’s a New Day” and see if you can make an “I Built It” followup that’s just as hopeful or bubblegummy sweet.

Amanda Sieradzki can be reached at asieradzki@spartans.ut.edu.

10 SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Photos captured

by The Minaret staff during the Republican National

Convention

Photos Courtesy of Samantha Battersby and Leah Beilhart/The Minaret

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

OPINION

Opinion

11

Romney/Ryan Disagreements Are Healthy, Heartening

By RICHARD J. WHITAKER Opinion Writer

Taylor Sanger/ The Minaret

Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan disagree on political issues.

Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan agree on the central theme of their party: big and/or pervasive government is inefficient, contrary to the basic precepts that our nation was founded upon, and far too expensive.

However, they do not agree upon everything. Recently, they have publicly disagreed on a plethora of hot topics, most notably abortion, following Representative

Todd Akins’ comments on “legitimate rape,” where he stated a child cannot be conceived if a woman is legitimately raped because the woman body has ways to shut the pregnancy process down. The two Republican hopefuls made conflicting statements about whether or not abortion should or should not be legal.

Romney typically tries to avoid the topic altogether, but has made it clear that he believes abortion should

remain legal and the choice should remain in the hands of the women facing the situation.

Vice presidential candidate Ryan’s stance tends to be far more extreme. According to The Washington Post, Ryan has asserted, “I’m as pro-life as a person gets.”

His very clear position is perhaps best articulated through his support for The Sanctity of Human Life Act, which he helped sponsor. Although we might expect Ryan’s political position relative to abortion to evolve the closer we get to November, he appears to be a man of deep conviction and his position will likely remain far to the right of his running mate’s position.

The majority of news outlets have been mercilessly pounding the candidates due to this obvious public disagreement on such a major issue; this is in no way justified.

Disagreements are healthy. No two men on the planet have exactly the same opinions, especially on major issues such as this one. Personally, I am extremely enthused to see these two men engaged in a healthy disagreement, and

even more impressed that Romney has apparently not acted to pressure his running mate to tread a more moderate path. Romney has allowed this difference of opinion to take form on a public level where I, as an American, can witness it.

This not only shows that the candidates are disagreeing, which could lead to positive results, but it also reveals that they are comfortable enough to do it on a national and even an international level for everyone in the world following the election to see.

Disagreements, more often than not, lead to some sort of middle ground where two people or two groups can eventually work together in order to solve a problem.

These public contests could very likely result in a solution to the highly debated issue on abortion.

I find it disappointing that the leftwing media outlets choose only to report the apparent negative aspects involved in disagreements rather than strive to understand the more important dynamic on display. Look at President Obama and Joe Biden, for example: whether they disagree on hot topics or not, we the people will never

know because it is done standpoints on abortion, behind closed doors. Obama you have to agree that it is promised he would deliver a better to hear their differing “transparent” government opinions rather than have with a degree of clarity never them concealed. before available in America.

Again, it is very This was just a promise, heartening to see this new words that bore no real fruit. vice presidential candidate The foregoing public being so active on the difference of opinion campaign trail. While vice between Romney and Ryan presidents traditionally demonstrates that Governor take on relatively passive Romney intends to lead roles, such as acting on the and to tolerate men and president’s behalf rather than women who have fresh initiating their own plans and and independent minds. I goals, Ryan seems to have a submit that if this team is different plan. What’s more, elected, this very important his new boss seems to think leadership attribute bodes that is just fine. very well for America. We Richard J. Whitaker need men with ideas who can be reached at richard. are unafraid to speak their whitaker@spartans.ut.edu minds and men who are willing to listen to the ideas of others. This is something that has been in very short supply over the past four years in our National Capital Region.

In regard to the important issue of abortion, there are two sides to every argument.Whether you choose to Gage Skidmore/ Flickr agree or disagree Despite differing opinions on political issues, with either of these candidates’ Romney and Ryan make a perfect pair.

It’s Prince Harry’s Party: He Can Be Naked If He Wants To

By SAMANTHA BLOOM Opinion Writer

Prince Harry, an Apache helicopter pilot for the British military and third in line to inherit England’s royal throne, is now most recently known all over the world for what he looks like naked, in lieu of a few nude photos from his recent vacation.

While on vacation in Las Vegas, Harry was photographed playing “strip billiards”— a game played much like regular billiards, only for each missed shot, an article of clothing is removed—at the Wynn Hotel and Casino earlier this month. The prince was reported by a friend in attendance to have gathered a group of people from the bar at the hotel and invited them up to his penthouse suite, where a rousing game of “let’s get naked” ensued with a bunch of strangers and the prince.

After losing all of his clothes and presumably the game of billiards, Harry stood around covering his royal bits with his hands. Someone at the party must’ve realized that the prince of England was standing buck-naked in the middle of the room, and took the opportunity to snap some pictures with a camera phone, as speculated by TMZ.com, where two photos (one of the prince covering his royal package with his hands, the other of the prince and his uncovered backside tackling another guest) landed just a few days later.

From there swept across the world on the cover of newspapers and tabloids— most notoriously Great Britain’s The Sun, which, in order to circumnavigate a palace request that the pictures go unpublished, first re-enacted the photograph with an intern (headlined HEIR It Is!) and later ran

the real thing much to the chagrin of the alike stripped down to their birthday royal family. suits (although the “important” bits are Nude photos of celebrities are not a covered, usually by a Union Jack). The novelty in the media. Pictures of various group description states simply, “Please famous people surface all the time, and are cover your crown jewels, tag yourself in usually met with a few jokes and maybe your photo as proof of your support to the some minor backlash from the public, nation’s favourite Royal!” in protest of the but rarely is there any kind of serious military’s negative feedback. repercussion. In fact, there are a few Reports have surfaced that a variety celebrities whose careers were built from of adult entertainers are scrambling getting naked for the prince to flash his on camera (Kim crowned jewels for some Kardashian full-on frontal nudity. and Paris Vincent Stevens, publisher Hilton, both of for Playgirl magazine, whom became told reporters that “one household million dollars would not names after be out of the question” their sex tapes for a Royal spread. The went viral, infamous male strip club to name a chain Chippendales is also couple). attempting to reach out P r i n c e to Harry. A spokesman Harry, on the for Chippendales tells other hand, TMZ.com that their Rio could be facing location is vying to have some trouble. the prince as a guest host.

An anonymous Most ridiculously of all, the military source Justine Parks/ The Minaret adult film company Vivid told UK’s online Prince Harry parties like a royal.

Entertainment has offered publication Prince Harry $10 million Express, “[Harry’s] commanding officer and “the opportunity to truly become the will probably have a word—but I imagine coolest prince of all time, by starring in his family will be even more annoyed.” The a fun, sexy, big-budget adult film called Palace declined to make a comment.

The Trouble with Harry.”

In order to support the prince’s right All of this madness is to be expected, to bare behind (and bare other things, as but it brings up a question that I have yet to well), a few British military fellows began come up with an answer for: why is Prince the Facebook group “Support Prince Harry Harry’s naked partying even remotely with a Naked Salute!” which features quite close to our business? The need for a a few photographs of men and women group of scantily-covered Brits standing

in solidarity with the Royal Nakedness is unnecessary, because he didn’t really do anything wrong. While the royal family has every right to be upset (I think any grandmother would be disappointed in her grandson stripping down at a party, regardless if she’s the queen of England), Harry is 27 years old, and has a history of being the wild-child of British royalty. His previous indiscretions include admitting that he smoked weed at 17 and participated in underage drinking, dressing up as a Nazi for a Halloween party and engaging in a brawl with paparazzi outside a nightclub—so what if he turned up naked at a party? At least he had the decency to cover his private parts. In comparison, it’s not even that negative of a scandal. He’s of legal age to be drinking, and consequently of making drunken mistakes. There was no violence reported—besides the playful tackling of another (also naked) billiards player, and there’s not a swastika in sight.

He was at a private party in his own hotel room—I would hope that someone has the right to get naked in any room he or she paid roughly $80,000 for. He was simply a young man having fun on vacation.

Unfortunately, he made the decision to hang around strangers who weren’t ashamed to make a quick buck off of his poor billiards skills.

If the plot of The Hangover holds any truth to the goings on in Sin City, I’m sure these kinds of shenanigans happen all the time. At least he didn’t wake up with a tiger in the bathroom and a stolen baby in the closet. That would have been worth the tabloid space.

Samantha Bloom can be reached at samantha.bloom@spartans.ut.edu

12 SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

OPINION

Romney’s Welfare Attack Ads Are Racist, Desperate

By ALEX CARABALLO Opinion Columnist

The politics of desperation is an ugly and nasty political force that brings out the worst in not only politicians, but in the electorate as well. Despite months of brutal attack ads by the Romney campaign and allied Super Political Action Committees (PAC) in key swing states, President Obama continues to lead in multiple national polls. Desperate for something to stick, the Romney campaign has resorted to attacks that they just invented, or better yet, they have pulled out of their collective asses. The most egregious example is a recent attack ad that claims the president ended work requirements for welfare.

Welfare has long been a political punching bag for Conservatives that have more often than not exploited racial prejudices. In 1976, Ronald Reagan campaigned for the Republican nomination for president by citing an anecdote of a woman in Chicago living the high life on public assistance, thus the term “welfare queen” was born. The image of an African American woman driving a Cadillac while collecting welfare became a political social meme that permeated popular culture.

There, of course, was no woman driving around in a new Cadillac on welfare. Those attacks by Ronald Reagan were not intended to crack down on fraud in the welfare system, but were rather a political ploy to exploit racial animosity among working-class whites.

The attacks on the supposed “welfare queen” resonated with many workingclass whites because they relied on the assumption that some other person is getting a free ride on their hard-earned tax dollars. The image of this free rider is more often than not implied as being African American.

Over 36 years have passed since Ronald Reagan promoted the image of the “welfare queen,” and yet the power of using social programs as a tool of political and racial division is still widely used.

During a primary debate in January, former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich

called President Obama the “food stamp president.”

Now the Romney campaign is resorting to these same attacks in an attempt to stir working-class animosity towards the president. The ad in question claimed that President Obama “quietly ended work requirements for welfare” and that “now they just send you your check.”

Ads such as these often display citations with the names of objective news agencies and dates as a means of proving their veracity. This ad, however, only displayed one actual citation, which was for the conservative Heritage Foundation. The other claim of the ad only showed a date.

Taylor Sanger/ The Minaret There’s a reason that there were no objective citations: Mitt Romney has aired several welfare ads that attack President Obama’s political standings.

The attack was a complete up the question as to who exactly on women’s reproductive rights and a fabrication with no basis in reality.

Romney was implying Obama’s base racially tinged attack ad, it’s no wonder Multiple independent fact checkers such was. It seems that Romney was implying they have no support among those groups. as Politifact have concluded that not only that Obama’s voting base was composed While these ads may be effective in the was the attack ad false, but the welfare of lazy welfare recipients who don’t want short term, in the long term the United claim earned the “pants on fire” award to work.

States is poised to become a minoritywhich is reserved for only the most These attacks were never intended majority country. These ads will not only egregious lies. to be real or factual critiques of the lose their effectiveness but will become What President Obama did, however, president but rather dog-whistle politics a political liability for the Republican was grant waivers to states to begin that appeal to working-class white voters. Party. experimenting with their respective welfare Romney needs these voters to show up While the race for the presidency might programs to improve work outcomes. on Election Day because the Romney/ become even nastier over the coming These waivers are only given out to states Ryan ticket is losing in the polls among months, it’s important to remember that that promise to increase work outcomes for every minority group. the president’s job is not to do what’s best welfare recipients.

Romney only leads in the polls among for a political party or a racial minority.

Ultimately, the truth behind the attack older white males and loses every other The job of the president is to do what’s ads not only stands in stark contradiction group such as women, African Americans best for the entire nation. Dividing the to the claims made by the Romney and Hispanics. In fact, the Romney/ country along racial lines for political campaign, but it also pits Romney against Ryan ticket made history by being the gain is not in this nation’s best interest. the position he held in 2006 when he first presidential ticket ever to achieve When Romney decided it was okay to requested these same waivers during his zero percent support from blacks in a exploit racial prejudices against African time as governor of Massachusetts. presidential tracking poll conducted by Americans to gain votes, he not only Despite being universally derided as NBC News and the Wall Street Journal. showed poor judgment and insensitivity, a false and misleading claim, Romney The campaign tactics and policy but he vehemently showed that he is not doubled down in a USA Today interview proposals of the Romney campaign turn qualified to be president. and stated that President Obama off many minority voters weakened the welfare work requirements With the Romney campaign harsh Alex Caraballo can reached at alex. “to shore up his own base.” This brings on immigration, antiquated policies caraballo@spartans.ut.edu

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

OPINION

13

New Cafeteria: Same Food, Cramped Design

By JAKE Koniszewski Opinion Writer

I returned to the University of Tampa this semester to find a redesigned cafeteria. Instead of waiting for a specific day for steak, you can get steak over at the Deluxe Grill.

Students can have pasta at the PastAmore station instead of walking over to Pandini’s. The cafeteria also has new wooden chairs and tables as well as new utensils and curvy plates. Overall, it was nice and pretty, but the amount of space students have to walk around was overlooked in the renovation process.

For the past few semesters, UT has slowly increased the number of students it accepts.

According to the University Profile page on the UT website, the university is up to 6,900 students. The influx of students calls for more space. If anything, the new cafeteria is more crowded than before. These new chairs and tables are occupying more space than last semester. The dimensions of the cafeteria have not changed, so by adding more chairs and tables, there is less space to move around.

The space issue is most notable in the strip of walking space between the International and Deluxe Grill. It only takes two or three friends standing together to block someone from getting by.

That is, if there’s not a line at any of the stations. At peak meal hours, these lines can get pretty crowded.

A few days ago, I thought I was in line for pizza, only to realize the lines for the pizza and pasta stations had melded together into one big confusing mess. Just like the tables and chairs, there are more stations. However, these

stations are packed tightly together so waiting in a line can be confusing. To make matters worse, in the patch of walking space in front of the stations, there are bulky cylindrical pillars blocking the path. With the triple threat of the lines, the pillars, and other students trying to get by as well, you would have better luck zig-zagging your way through the seating areas in order to get from station to station.

As someone who’s eaten at the cafeteria for four semesters, I can say that the food hasn’t changed. Some items can be fairly tasty and dependable while others, well, not so much. I in no way blame the cooks in the cafeteria. When cooking for nearly 7,000 students, you don’t have the time to make sure every dish tastes spectacular. All I’m saying is that when you take

away the new design, it’s still the same cafeteria I’ve eaten at since freshman year, but with less space.

There are other eating options on campus, but those can be equally busy. Have fun waiting in line for that dinner burrito at Salsa Rico or a late night Blizzard at Dairy Queen.

If you’re tired of lines, you may want to try some alternative meal options.

Class schedule permitting, try to eat when the

cafeteria is not so crowded.

It may seem odd going to the cafeteria for lunch right before they switch over to dinner or grabbing a quesadilla at Salsa Rico’s at 10 p.m., but you won’t have to wait long and there will be less people to squeeze past.

If you have a stove, oven, or just a microwave in your dorm, you can try to prepare your own food. You can make it a group activity and go grocery shopping with friends to pick out ingredients. Afterward, you can help each other cook anything from a three-course meal to a giant pot of ramen.

If none of your friends are good cooks or you don’t feel like cooking, you and your friends could save up some money to go out and eat. If you and your friends don’t feel like going out, you can all pitch in a few dollars and order a pizza or some Chinese food.

Those are just alternatives for when you want to try something new or you absolutely cannot stand how busy the cafeteria can be.

I am not saying you should get rid of your meal plan or that the cafeteria is the worst part of UT. The cafeteria is more crowded than before, so creating more space should have been the priority. Once that issue is covered, then they should have focused on making the cafeteria prettier and adding more stations. The cafeteria’s new features are a step in the right direction for making UT a better place, but students would enjoy eating there a lot more if it was not so cramped.

Jake Koniszewski can be reached at john.koniszewski@ spartans.ut.edu Samantha Battersby/ The Minaret

14 SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

OPINION

Akin’s Comments on Breast Milk, ‘Legitimate Rape’ Ridiculous

By VANESSA Righeimer Opinion Writer

As the election draws near, more and more politicians are being placed under the spotlight. We listen to them and watch them closely, just waiting for something to go wrong that may either aid or hurt our party. With news so easily available online and Twitter trendings available in just minutes, it’s almost impossible to cover up any statement made public. Finally it happened. A crack in the Republican Party brought on by Missouri Senate candidate, Todd Akin. He caused quite a stir when he claimed that legitimate rape cannot cause pregnancy in his argument against abortion. When asked in an interview with The Jaco Report, Akin stated, “From what I understand from doctors, that is really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to shut that whole thing down.” To say that this comment was offensive is an understatement. He made claims for a very controversial issue in which he has never actually come up

with the scientific research ly to an adult homosexufor two weeks would that to back it up. In fact, the al male daily for at least make you bisexual? And majority of doctors have four weeks - has a 94 perlastly, where can I buy come to the conclusion that cent chance of permanent- some of this magical breast there is no accurate way to ly curing homosexuals.” milk? I’m also awfully cuprove that at this point in This statement leaves me rious where this research is time. Dr. Grimes, a clinical with many questions. Does coming from. Perhaps U.S. professor in obstetRepresentative Akin rics and gynecology tested out this theory at the University of with his family at home.

North Carolina statWith these two abed in an interview surd claims, Romney that, “to suggest that and Ryan are both backthere’s some bioing away in shock, treatlogical reason why ing his idiotic statements women couldn’t get as such a surprise from a pregnant during a representative of the Rerape is absurd.” publican Party.

After having funds However, this isn’t pulled from his camthe only time Akin paign by various Rehas made some ridicupublican supporters lous comment. In June as well as receiving 2011, NBC omitted the much backlash from words “under God” in the general public, the Pledge of Allegiance Akin has apologized during a segment on for his comments.

DonkeyHotey/ Flickr U.S. Open winner, RoTodd Akin’s recent remarks offend many.

However, withry McIlroy. This angered in the next week Akin many right wing spectawould dig himself into an the breast milk have to be tors and Akin argued that even deeper hole with his at a certain temperature? If NBC has had a long hisclaim that homosexualiwe told a gay man that he tory of being liberal and ty can be cured by breast was drinking breast milk said in an interview with milk. Akin told a reportwhen it was actually cow Family Research Couner for Cape Girardeau’s milk would it have some cil that “The heart of liberKBSI 23 News that breast sort of placebo effect? If alism is really a hatred for milk, “when fed directyou only drank breast milk God.” The fact that Liber-

als strongly believe church and state should be separate in no way means they hate God. Perhaps they are right in believing this because it seems religion is what might have clouded Akin’ judgment with these rather emotionally charged rants. Akin received criticism for this, but mostly from Liberal clergy members. If the backlash would have been greater, maybe Romney and Ryan would have stepped away earlier and spoken out against Akin. Instead, they let this one slide only to be embarrassed by the uneducated arguments he would pose in the future.

Todd Akin has definitely put a stain on the Republican Party. Will it affect the polls? We will most likely have to wait and see once we reach election time.

Until then we can keep tuning into the medical discoveries of Todd Akin. Rumor has it that his next findings focus on using fairy dust to end global warming.

Vanessa Righeimer can be reached at vanessa. righeimer@spartans.ut.edu

Lanyard Policy Put in Place for Students’ Sake

By ELAINA ZINTL Opinion Writer

The Republican National Convention came to Tampa, FL the week of Aug. 26 and spurred a great deal of changes for the University of Tampa. Campus Safety made quite a few adjustments for the sake of the students. To do so, there were a few things asked of us. A Spartan ID was necessary for an individual to be allowed on campus, and all staff and students were required to wear neon lanyards with IDs attached. I, as a new freshman at UT, was nervous about the RNC and grateful for the safety measures put in place.

At any point during the RNC, you could have been stopped if your lanyard was not visible. I admit, as a student, that it sometimes seemed like a hassle; perhaps wearing such a bright color around your neck wasn’t quite your style. Walking around campus, I noticed that most of the students were merely holding their lanyards or had them sticking out of their pockets. Despite their Spartan Cards not being easily visible, having the green lanyard dan-

gling in clear view was enough to avoid being stopped.

Before the convention started, there were numerous emails sent out reminding students to wear their lanyards. Freshmen were told to attend one of three mandatory security sessions on Sunday, Aug. 26. During these assemblies, officers warned students to be on their guard, to not do anything reckless and reiterated that wearing the lanyards was required. Even so, it seems the one thing numerous students went out of their way to avoid was wearing those lanyards.

If stopped, all a student needed to do was present his or her lanyard and ID and they could be on their way. But why were students getting stopped? It happened repeatedly throughout the week. Considering the lanyards were bright green, and had your Spartan Card attached, they were nearly impossible to forget. There wasn’t much being asked of us, just to have our lanyards and IDs visible to the officers who were working diligently to protect UT students.

Campus Safety was very amiable, especially in the case of Tara

Temkar, sophomore biology major.

“I’m a commuter, but I’m not staying at my permanent address. So they sent my lanyard to my parents’ house when I was already in Florida, and I didn’t have it sent down.”

She said that she was stopped and asked to present her lanyard and ID, but was allowed to move on after presenting her Spartan Card because the officers were flexible and understanding. Other students, ones that had lanyards in their possession, seemingly couldn’t be bothered to be flexible themselves – not even for one week.

Accommodations were also made for students interested in being a part of demonstrations. Students and student organizations intending to protest were asked to inform the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. This insured that the university was aware of students’ whereabouts and had the necessary information to contact the organizations and relay safety information in case of an emergency.

I asked multiple students for their opinions on the security measures and whether or not they wore their lanyards. A few admitted to carrying

them in bags and getting stopped for it. They believed the lanyard policy to be a hassle. Several students declared that they got away without wearing their lanyards, but refused give their names or be quoted.

They were apprehensive about what would happen if their comments appeared in the paper. To avoid trouble, students should have cooperated and initially worn the lanyards. Five days was a short amount of time, and the policy was put in place for our sake.

Security worked hard to prepare for the RNC and to keep UT students out of harm’s way.

Even though nothing terrible occurred to require as many officers on campus as there were, it was reassuring to know that security was prepared. As the saying goes: better safe than sorry. It is the preferred option. We should be grateful that the officers worked so hard this week and for the fact that nothing went out of control or directly threatened our campus or students.

Elaina Zintl can be reached at elaina.zintl@spartans.ut.edu

OPINION

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

15

Bin Laden’s Dead; It’s Time to Get Out of Afghanistan

By DAVID ADAMS Opinion Writer

rection, I believe that more must be ghanistan received the full force of Nearly 11 years have passed done to ensure the safety of NATO American military power for their since the United States began Opforces during training. respective parts in the World Trade eration Enduring Freedom, just a “With this increased interest in Center and Pentagon attacks. Howfew days after Osama bin Laden or- the insider threat, everybody startever, with bin Laden now dead, chestrated the deadliest terrorist ated looking at it and saying: ‘What many Al-Qaeda operatives in hiding tacks against America. After more can we do to make sure that all of and a Taliban force that has been rethan a decade, our nation is still en- our vetting processes are in place?’ duced to implementing internal attangled in a complicated counterinsurgency with no clear end in sight. U.S. and coalition forces still seem to be on the counterattack, and a clear offensive operation has yet to be established.

Day after day, news reports are filled with North Atlantic Treaty Organization reactions to Taliban and Al-Qaeda attacks. The war in Afghanistan needs to come to an end, for the sake of more than just our pocketbooks.

Since the start of OEF the United States has had to deal with a myriad of enemy tactics, ranging from suicide bombers and car Brian Spaid/ Facebook U.S. troops have been suffering Green-on-Blue attacks while in Afghanistan. bombs, to roadside bombs, snipers and complex ambushes. All of these attacks do more than just cre- We’re going through and looking tacks, the U.S. and NATO must ate casualties. They are carefulat everything,” Lt. Col. Todd Harquickly transfer authority to the curly planned psychological attacks rell, a spokesman for the U.S. spe- rent ruling government and halt against our soldiers who are fightcial operations forces in Afghanicombat operations in Afghanistan. ing on the frontlines in Afghanistan. stan, said during an interview with The cost of the war is becoming too These attacks are designed to lower the Associated Press. “It may take great to justify a military presence. morale and are mentally exhausting a month, it may take two months, According to a February 2011 to troops, who must constantly be we don’t know.” article by Agence France-Presse, alert for the smallest indicator of an The latest Green-on-Blue atthe Pentagon reported that operenemy assault. While all of these tack resulted in the deaths of three ation costs for OEF were around schemes are clever, none of them Australian soldiers in the Uruz$300 million USD a day, a drop hold a matchstick to the latest meth- gan province of Afghanistan last from previous years when the U.S. od the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have Wednesday, according to the IBT. was embroiled in both Afghanistan employed against coalition forces in NATO efforts again come in reand Iraq.

Afghanistan. sponse to newly devised plans put As stated by the AFP arti“Green-on-Blue” attacks, named in action by enemy forces, and I cle, the Pentagon’s proposed fiscal after color designations given to Afbelieve these latest attacks should year 2012 budget for Afghanistan ghani and NATO forces, have been be a catalyst for ending U.S. incalls for a staggering $107.3 bilon the rise over the last year, and have volvement in Afghanistan. Friend- lion, a drop from the 2011 bill that had devastating effects. According to an article published on Sept. 2 by Angelo Young, a writer for International Business Times, in 2012 there have been 34 such attacks that have resulted in the killing of 45 NATO troops.

According to the Associated Press, at least 12 of these attacks have occurred within the last month, resulting in 15 NATO troops being killed in action.

All of the attackers have been wearing uniforms that designate them as friendly police or military forces, and have ambushed unsuspecting NATO partners during patrols and other combat operations.

Several news sources reported that the U.S. has temporarily or- ly attacks are devastating to troop requested $113.5 billion. The Afdered training to cease for roughmorale, and our soldiers have givghanistan war is costing the U.S. ly 1,000 Afghan Local Police while en us their all for far too long. billions of dollars. Even after comintelligence analysts delve deepOperation Enduring Freedom bat operations cease, the U.S. will er into the recruits’ background. was a swift and justified response to still need to funnel money to miliEventually NATO forces are planAl-Qaeda’s underhanded and distary personnel remaining in theater ning more extensive background gusting attack against innocent cias advisers to the newly emplaced research on all of the estimatvilians on Sept. 11, 2001. Osama military and government officials, ed 350,000 current Afghan force. bin Laden, Al-Qaeda and the supsimilar to operations in Iraq.

While this is a step in the right diporting Taliban government in AfFar more important than the fi-

nancial strain these two wars in Asia have cost our country is the emotional strain. Thousands of soldiers have given their lives in support of OIF and OEF. According to iCasualties.org, 2,109 U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan to date, and 4,486 men and women serving in our armed forces died in support of OIF. Many troops have also been permanently disabled by injuries sustained overseas.

Combat fatalities are only a portion of the story. In addition to those wounded physically, many men and women bear invisible scars as a result from their time in combat, afflicted with mental trauma like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other severe anxiety disorders. In a recent USA Today article, the Army reports that suicide rates in July were at an all-time high for one month tallies, totaling 38 in July 2012. Our military is tired. They’ve fought hard for over 10 years now, and it is time that we give them a much deserved break.

Withdrawal from a region that has been plagued by violence for centuries is not an admission of defeat. Knowing when you’re involved in a fight that will never end and deciding to cut losses is usually identified as being smart. A counterinsurgency is a war that can never be won, because there will always be pissed-off zealots who hate ruling authorities. Look no further than Iraq for evidence.

Acording to a New York Times topics article, in June 2012 more than 150 Iraqis were killed and hundreds more were wounded in several different acts of sectarian violence over the course of one week. Keep in mind this is only one report from one month, the total amount of ongoing violence is much greater.

Since the removal of Saddam Hussein and a centralized government, the country has once again splintered into several different tribal regions, each one vying for power. Afghanistan is comprised of similar tribal regions and provinces, with many of its citizens loyal to blood lines and tribal affiliations, not ruling governments.

Our goal in Afghanistan was to bring the mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to justice. The last time I checked he had been served with two rounds to the chest and one to the head and dumped off a boat in the Atlantic. Sounds like we won. It is time to bring our serving men and women home to a hero’s welcome.

It’s exactly what they deserve.

David Adams can be reached at david.adams@spartans.ut.edu

Did you do anything cool for the RNC? We want to hear about it!

Email us about your experience at ut.minaret@gmail.com

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 06 2012

Sports

17

Freshman Floridian Fits In With Spartans

By JOHN HILSENROTH JR.

Sports Editor

Nancy Burgess

Lisenbee comes to UT from Seminole, Fla.

The University of Tampa women’s volleyball program went 33-2 last year and is currently ranked No. 3 in the country. There always seems to be a talented group of girls playing under Coach Chris Catanach.

This year, the teams’ best recruit is local Marissa Lisenbee, who has already docked some crucial playing time this season’s first three games.

“I wanted to play for a school that was going to win,” said Lisenbee. “I’d rather play for a great Division-II school than a mediocre Division-I school.”

“She’s a competitor, she hates to lose,” said her high school Volleyball Coach, Dexter Rogers. “She went from being someone who has a lot of potential, to being someone who started to realize some of her potential. She still has some time to grow.”

Lisenbee played on a team that won the Junior Olympic Championship this past year, and already has her eyes set on playing overseas after college.

“My high school coach helped with the Olympic Games and he was just awesome and knew so much about the game,” she said. “Ultimately, I really wanna play in Europe, overseas anywhere.”

Lisenbee, a Seminole, Fls. native,

is expected to get most of her playing time on the right side this year, after Eva Dupay’s departure due to graduation.

“Marissa will probably play right side or middle; she played everywhere for us,” said Coach Rogers. “She is a great blocker at 6’2”.”

“I can play right or middle, or wherever coach needs me to play,” Lisenbee said.

“The right side is the only position we graduated so that is where she’ll be trying out for mostly,” said University of Tampa Volleyball Coach Chris Catanach.

“She’s a local kid that we’ve been targeting since her sophomore year and we’re very excited to have her. She’s definitely one of our top recruits, but I don’t like to label any freshman with a ton of expectations.”

Even as a freshman, Lisenbee has high hopes for the team this year.

“Hopefully this year we win the national championship, because with the people we have coming in and the returners we definitely have the capability to,” she said. “Hopefully I get some playing time too.”

“I’ve already learned a lot from Coach Catanach and all of the other coaches and I’m looking forward to learning more from them,” Lisenbee said. “I love everyone so far, we all get along.”

Lisenbee’s best friend on the team is junior setter Kahley Patrick.

It is a dream of Lisenbee’s to play in the Olympics one day, and she loves mixing up indoor volleyball with sand.

“I love sand volleyball,” she said. “It’s a lot harder, but I love playing for fun, and I’m looking forward to playing that in the spring for a few weeks just because it’s Marissa Lisenbee a nice change going from indoor to beach.

Coach Rogers only had one cautious thought on Lisenbee, and it can sometimes be considered a great attribute.

“She can be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes, which can be dangerous,” Rogers said.

“There are going to be times when things aren’t going to be going great, but you just have to keep battling.”

“Marissa will decide how far she goes,” said Rogers.

“If she keeps working as hard as she has been in the last couple years, I think she will play past college. She will get out exactly what she puts in.”

John Hilsenroth Jr. can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.

18 SEPTEMBER 6 2012 | THE MINARET

SPORTS

Pro Sports

Texans Highlight 2012 Predictions

By JOHN HILSENROTH JR. Sports Editor

Ah yes; it’s finally here.

After nearly seven months of Giants’ fans enjoying their bragging rights, the Patriots scooping up every free agent tight end imaginable, the Saints being busted and so much more, the NFL is finally back.

Every single Sunday for the next five months will consist of football. Here are my predictions for each division: NFC East: One of the league’s best divisions will be more competitive than ever in 2012. The defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants could easily finish third or even fourth (depending how good Robert Griffin III is) in the East.

The Cowboys should have won the division last year, and if it weren’t for an awful secondary they probably would have.

They traded up to draft Morris Claiborne, which was a brilliant move. But if injuryprone running back DeMarco Murray gets hurt again, they will be in trouble.

The Eagles were the paper champs of 2011, but finished third in the division.

Acquiring tackling machine DeMeco Ryans was a great pickup for the Eagles, and LeSean McCoy is the best running back in the league, but I still can’t see Michael Vick staying healthy all year, or DeSean Jackson AND Jeremy Maclin playing consistently.

The Redskins could finally break out with new quarterback Robert Griffin III and wide receiver acquisition Pierre Garcon. But with Eli Manning a year more experienced, that defensive line well intact, the Giants should have enough to make a strong case for division champs again. Their schedule scares me, however.

Giants win division at 10-6.

NFC South: I think this is finally the year that the Atlanta Falcons do something in the playoffs. Matt Ryan will step it up

elviskennedy/Flickr.com

Aaron Rodgers is arguably the most dominant quarterback in the NFL heading into the season.

Talk of the Town Professional Sporting News in the Region

this year, considering he’s throwing to two of the best receivers in the game in Roddy White and Julio Jones. Michael Turner is a year older, but has been quietly consistent the last few years.

The Buccaneers will surely be better than their 4-12 record last season, but are still hard pressed to break .500. The season ending injury to Davin Joseph was a crushing blow.

Will the Saints be able to repeat their 13-3 season after all of their sanctions?

Probably not. Even without Jonathan Vilma and the offensive genius himself, Sean Payton, they still have Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and so many other offensive weapons. The Panthers are an up and coming team, but I think they will battle the Buccaneers for third place as defenses start to adjust to Cam Newton.

Falcons win division at 12-4.

NFC North: Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder should improve, and if Adrian Peterson is healthy we all know what he is capable of, but the Vikings’ secondary isn’t good enough in a league insidethemagic/Flickr.com that has to play against Aaron Rodgers, Matt Eli Manning celebrates his second Super Bowl victory with Mickey Mouse. With the loss of Stafford, and Jay Cutler (who is reunited Mario Manningham this season, Manning will rely heavily on Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. with Brandon Marshall) six times.

The Bears are an intriguing team this bad team. The team simply doesn’t have Will three teams from the division all year. I’m very interested to see if Cutler any explosive players at running back or go to the playoffs again? Probably not. and Marshall can reciprocate the magic receiver, and they don’t block. Dustin I really like the Bengals’ chances to win they made in 2009. If Matt Forte can stay Keller is a decent tight end, but that’s the division this year with Andy Dalton and healthy, the Bears have a great shot at a about it. The Patriots locked up both Gronk A.J. Green building more chemistry and wild-card spot. and Hernandez for multi-year deals and BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushing the ball.

The Detroit Lions finally made the acquiring Brandon Lloyd gives Tom Brady I think the Ravens will compete for the playoffs in 2011, and they should be in a lethal vertical threat. It might be running division title, but fall just short because of the running for another spot this season, back by committee in New England, but Terrell Suggs’ absence and older legs on but their lack of a consistent run game will they won’t have any problem putting points that defense. hurt them. on the board.

The Steelers should have another solid The Green Bay Packers are just too Harvard graduate Ryan Fitzpatrick year, but until they get back to the smash good. If Jermichael Finley actually holds slowed as the season progressed last year, mouth team that won them multiple Super on to the ball this year, I expect him to have but it was due to injury. He will get the Bills Bowls, they are not a true threat to go deep a huge season. Packers win division at to second place in the division this year. into the post season.

12-4.

Ryan Tannehill will struggle in Miami, Trent Richardson should be efficient, NFC West: Rookie quarterback Russell mainly due to lack of weapons. I’m but the Browns are still the Browns.

Wilson beat out free agent acquisition Matt doubtful that Reggie Bush can stay healthy Bengals win division at 11-5.

Flynn, exciting some folks in Seattle. Yes, all year and rush for over 1000 yards again.

AFC West: This is a very hard one to it’s true, people do in fact get excited about Patriots win division at 12-4. predict. I love the Chiefs’ defensive front, things in Seattle. The Seahawks went 4AFC South: A healthy Matt Schaub, and that they held on to Romeo Crennel as 0 in the preseason, and with a reasonable Andre Johnson and Arian Foster equals a head coach. schedule, the team has a chance to challenge very successful 2012 season for the Texans.

If Darren McFadden can stay healthy, the 49ers for the NFC West crown.

If they stay healthy, the Texans are my pick I think Carson Palmer is going to have a Alex Smith is back in San Francisco, for Super Bowl Champs this year. They big year. but it’s nearly impossible that the 49ers will are the most complete team in the NFL. Peyton Manning could make Eric be able to duplicate the kind of defensive I think Andrew Luck will have a pretty Decker very rich and famous, and send the season they had last year. good rookie season; he’ll throw his fair most complete team in the division to the Sam Bradford had a bad sophomore share of picks, but I think he’ll develop. playoffs. slump last season, throwing just six Reggie Wayne and Coby Fleener will be However, I think Phillip Rivers is touchdown passes in six games. Brian targeted a lot. going to bounce back from a disappointing Quick is a raw rookie receiver that should The Jaguars are just disastrous. They campaign last year and lead the Chargers to be a nice target for Bradford this year. will probably be better than last year, but the playoffs, assuming Ryan Mathews can The Cardinals still can’t be taken win no more than six games. stay healthy. seriously with their quarterback situation.

The Titans could get second place in the If he gets hurt, it’s the Broncos heading 49ers win division at 11-5. division behind a strong year from Chris into January football. Chargers win NFC Wild Card Spots: New Orleans, Johnson. Texans win division at 13-3. division at 10-6.

Dallas AFC North: Along with the NFC AFC Wild Card Spots: Denver, AFC East: All the hype surrounding East and maybe the NFC North, this is the Baltimore Tim Tebow is irrelevant because Mark most competitive and the most intriguing John Hilsenroth Jr. can be reached at Sanchez is not the reason the Jets are a division in the league.

Minaret.Sports@gmail.com.

@

After winning their series against the Yankees, the Rays host the Texas Rangers for a crucial three-game series this weekend. Friday’s game at the Trop begins at 7:10 p.m.

@

Two years ago, the Bucs were 10-6 and just missed the playoffs. After a 4-12 2011 season, the team is chomping at the bit to begin a new chapter. They host Carolina on Sunday at 4:25 p.m.

The Rowdies are aiming to win their sixth straight home game this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Second-place Tampa Bay has won seven of their past nine games, and are currently 11-6-7 on the season.

SPORTS

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 6 2012

19

Jason Witten’s Spleen and Other Fantasy Busts

By SHAWN FERRIS Sports Writer

I’m more excited than Michael Strahan’s dentist. I’m more excited than a 10-yearold girl at a Justin Bieber concert. I’m…. well, just plain excited.

Some people think of September as the start of another school year, or the time of year when the weather starts to get cooler and the leaves begin to change.

All September means to me, however, is another fantasy football season.

Instead of the usual sleepers and busts article that you’ve probably seen a million times by now and would most likely be useless by the time you read this, we’re going to focus on the guys who are ready to break out during the 2012 fantasy football season and the guys who might take a step back.

BREAKOUTS Quarterback: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: Matty Ice has really shown a lot of progress over the past couple years, not just as an NFL quarterback, but as a fantasy quarterback as well. After finishing the 2010 season with career highs in passing yards (3,705) and touchdown passes (28), Ryan had an even better season in 2011, throwing one more touchdown pass, topping the 4,000 yard mark, and having a whole lot of fun with explosive rookie wide-out Julio Jones. Expect Ryan to make sweet music with the ageless wonder Tony Gonzalez, the always consistent Roddy White, and of course Jones in 2012.

Running Back: Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts: No you read that right folks; I’m saying the worst team in the league last year, the 2-14 Colts will have a fantasy running back break out in 2012.

The Colts offense was abysmal last year, but the combination of Andrew Luck and a plethora of carries for Brown could equal fantasy gold. Brown isn’t big, but he is

explosive (he led the NCAA in rushing in 2008 with the University of Connecticut) and after averaging almost five yards per carry in 2011, Brown could be in for a huge season with Luck opening up defenses in 2012.

Wide Receiver: Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears: Did anyone even notice that Brandon Marshall somehow finished the 2011 season as a borderline top 10 receiver last year? Despite having the likes of Chad Henne and Matt Moore throwing wounded ducks his way on a regular basis?

I didn’t think so. That speaks a lot to the kind of talent Marshall has; he managed 1,200 plus yards with those guys throwing it, and in 2012 he reunites with former Denver Broncos teammate Jay Cutler in an offense with not a whole lot of other receiving options aside from dump-offs to Matt Forte.

Tight End: Fred Davis, Washington Redskins: Most people are pegging Jared Cook and Jacob Tamme as breakout candidates in 2012. I’ll take the most

athletic player 10 times out of 10. Davis is a 6’4’’ 250 pound freak who is straight out of the Vernon Davis, Rob Gronkowski mold. Expect the matchup nightmare to be Robert Griffin III’s security blanket as he puts up (for lack of a better word) stupid numbers this year.

FLAKEOUTS Quarterback: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: Over 4,000 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and 14, count em’, 14 rushing touchdowns! But after throwing for at least 350 yards in three of his first four career games, Cam struggled throwing the football in the season final 12 games as defenses seemed to figure him out a little, as he failed to throw for over 300 yards the rest of the season. Newton’s rushing touchdowns saved his lackluster performances through the air and made him a fantasy darling in 2011, but with Mike “I ate all my vegetables” Tolbert taking over as the team’s top goal line option in 2012, I expect Newton’s rushing touchdowns, and fantasy value to decrease in 2012.

Keith Allison/Flickr.com

Vincent Jackson hopes that Josh Freeman can resurrect his career in Tampa Bay.

Running Back: DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys: You couldn’t pay me to take this guy. He had his moments (including a 253 yard outburst against a lowly Rams defense), and I’d say he finished the season with an impressive 5.5 yards per carry, but well, he didn’t FINISH the season. Murray’s season ended during week 13 last year, only seven weeks after he was handed the starting job. If I’m going to take a running back where he’s going, I take someone I know is going to produce and go for the upside later. DeMarco Murray, with an atrocious offensive line and his checkered injury past (even back to his days at Oklahoma) is a huge question mark in 2012. Let someone else take the risk.

Wide Reciever: Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After becoming a staple in the San Diego Chargers offense the last few years, Jackson sought out a free agent contract and got paid big by an aggressive Buccaneers organization. The Bucs needed help at the wide receiver position after a very disappointing 2011 campaign that saw their leading receiver (Mike Williams) tally less than 800 yards receiving. Vincent Jackson might help open up the running game with his ability to have defenses key in on him, but as far as personal statistics go, I don’t believe in quarterback Josh Freeman as much as I do Phillip Rivers.

Tight End: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys: I’m down on the whole Cowboys offense this year. I haven’t believed in Tony Romo since he split up with Jessica Simpson (and haven’t believed in her in a while either), and I already mentioned how I feel about Demarco Murray. On top of that, Witten ruptured his spleen in the preseason. It could be a long season for the Cowboys, in real-life and fantasy.

Shawn Ferris can be reached at sferris@spartans.ut.edu.

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New Baseball Format Sparks Debate Sounding Off On the Extra Wild Card MLB Standings

By MILES PARKS Asst. Sports Editor

For the first time in the history of Major League Baseball, there will be 10 playoff teams come this October. Only, not really.

We’ve been shammed! Can’t you see right through it? You can’t? You mean you’re actually excited by this two wild card business? All right. I understand your initial reaction, but I’m going to talk you through this. Please don’t do anything rash, like buying an Angels’ playoff ticket. Not a good idea.

The first thing I want you to know and understand before we move on is that everyone involved in owning or running a major sports organization has money. Lots of it. Only they’re not satisfied with this amount of money and they want more of it. And no matter how much you or I want to believe that winning is the main goal of any franchise, realize that mostly, winning is the main goal because it brings people to the stadium and it sells shirts and it makes money. Winning makes money. Ok, now that we’ve established that, we can move on to this whole playoff thing.

Back in March, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced that the league had expanded its playoffs for the first time since 1994. Both the American and

(as of September 5, 2012)

American League Wild Card 1. Oakland Athletics 2012 Record: 76-58

2. Baltimore Orioles 2012 Record: 76-59

3. Tampa Bay Rays 2012 Record: 75-61

National League will send their two best non-division winning teams to a one game playoff to determine which team will make it into their respective Division Series.

“This change increases the rewards of a division championship,” Selig said, to MLB.com, “and allows two additional

Keith Allison/Flickr.com

Tampa Bay players Ben Zobrist and Matt Joyce celebrate as B.J. Upton and George Hendrick look on. The Rays made the postseason last year with a wild-card spot not a one-game playoff.

4

The Win

A brief rundown of Spartan sports

Women’s Soccer [2-1, 0-0] Tampa impaled Florida Memorial during its home opener this past Tuesday, winning 13-0. They now have back-to-back home games.

The team will take on Warner University at 7 p.m. on Friday and Mercy College at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Wild Card Fun Facts 2012 marks baseball’s first season with 10 “playoff” teams -MLB introduced the single wild card format in 1994 -Wild-card teams have won five World Series since 1997 -The Marlins are the only franchise to win multiple Championships from the wild-card slot (‘97, ‘03)

National League Wild Card 1. Atlanta Braves 2012 Record: 76-60

2. St. Louis Cardinals 2012 Record: 74-62

3. L.A. Dodgers 2012 Record: 73-63

markets to experience playoff baseball each year, all while maintaining the most exclusive postseason in professional sports.”

I will admit, the first part of what he said is great. Winning your division should carry more weight than it did. It’s the whole next bit that doesn’t sit so well.

Selig says that this one game playoff allows two additional markets to experience “playoff baseball” each year.

Because there’s one more slot open in each league, it also makes it even harder for one or a pair of teams to run away with any playoff race.

As of September 4, there are five teams within five games of the two wild card spots in the A.L. At this exact point last season, there were zero. The closest any team was to Boston was Tampa Bay’s eight game margin.

We all know how that turned out for the Rays but every other team basically gave up on the postseason. With another open postseason slot means more opportunity which means more teams involved which means more markets interested which means more money for tickets and TV ratings and even bobbleheads.

Don’t get me wrong, I know professional teams are businesses necessitated on making profit. My point is that they can sell this move as good to the fans and good for baseball, when in reality, it is more about

being good for a few wallets.

The biggest issue here is the specifics of this one game. How can a team’s season hinge on one game?

Baseball is not football where one game is nearly enough to tell two teams apart.

What if one team’s ace is available and the other’s isn’t?

The season is already too long which is why they can’t make it a three-game series. Here’s my solution: Why not cut 12 games and make the regular season 150 games? Give the wild card teams a three game series to duke it out. Talk about an incentive to win your division, how about four or five days off?

You would actually be able to end the World Series in October and pitchers might have more in their tank for the early rounds.

I just hate that there’s going to be a fanbase who’s been sold Bud Selig’s “playoff experience” nonsense only to be sent home the day after the regular season finishes.

Doesn’t seem like much of any experience to me.

Baseball does have the most exclusive postseason in sports but this wild card expansion also give it the most disingenuous.

I don’t enjoy being spoon-fed suspense for one game that doesn’t make sense. This is baseball. Not the BCS. Miles Parks can be reached at Minaret.

Sports@gmail.com.

No. 10 Men’s Soccer [2-0, 0-0]

No. 3 Volleyball [3-1, 0-0]

The Spartans started their campaign off strong, winning their first two games a year after winning just three all of last season. After just two games, Tampa went from unranked to No. 10.

They host Clayton State University on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Tampa Volleyball will be in Denver all weekend for the Colorado Premier Tournament. The team dropped one spot in the rankings after losing its second game.

They should have some time to rest when they return, as they don’t play again until Sept. 18.